Visakhapatnam, April 12: State Health Minister Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Monday announced that the Centre is set to introduce the 'Nari Shakti Vandanam' legislation aimed at ensuring adequate representation for women in legislative bodies, with parliamentary debate on the Bill scheduled for the 17th and 18th of this month.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP district office, presided over by district president M.M.N. Parashurama Raju, the Minister underscored the stark disparity between women's share of the population and their presence in elected bodies. "Women constitute more than half the country's population, yet their representation in legislatures stands at a mere 13 per cent," he said.

Mr. Satyakumar pointed to the success of the 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies as evidence of their capability and readiness for a larger political role. He also cited schemes such as Jan Dhan accounts, Startup India, and Stand Up India as instruments through which women had achieved greater economic self-reliance in recent years.

Reaffirming the NDA coalition's commitment to substantive rather than rhetorical women's empowerment, the Minister stated that the alliance had set itself the goal of implementing the women's reservation framework from the next elections onward.

Opposition in the crosshairs

Turning to political matters, Mr. Satyakumar trained his criticism on the opposition, expressing surprise that the Congress party, which he said had failed to cross even the 100-seat mark, continued to level charges against the government. He also took strong exception to remarks by YSRCP leaders regarding investments by global firms such as Google and ArcelorMittal in the State, calling their statements unwarranted.

On the Bhogapuram project, the Minister said it was untenable for those who had neglected the initiative for five years to now claim ownership of it.

Commenting on the broader national political landscape, Mr. Satyakumar asserted that a change in governance was needed in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and added that senior coalition leaders would campaign in areas with a significant Telugu-speaking population wherever elections are under way.

The press conference was attended by BJP Legislature Party leader P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, TDP district president Ch. Pattabhi, BJP State secretary U. Sujatha Raj, and women leaders N. Jyothi and Ananthalakshmi, among others.